New exhibition “The Art of the Game” hosted by Purling and 67 York Street Gallery celebrates the art of chess in London this October

From 7 – 12 of October, luxury games company Purling, known for their finely crafted chess sets, will be taking over Marylebone’s 67 York Street Gallery to present The Art of the Game. We asked several of the exhibiting artists about their designs for this unique collaboration.

Sickboy: 

What are your thoughts on the intersection of art and chess?

I think it’s an interesting area to explore, from a certain perspective a chess board is sculptural, it has a lot of cultural and intellectual heritage, so being able to paint on its 3-dimensional properties, and be part of a moving sculpture that is a competition or game at least between two opponents is quite fascinating.

How do you bridge the divide between the accessible (street art) and luxury? 

This question is interesting although it assumes that street art is just out in the public domain and free and low-brow, and the chess art is more elite and highbrow. My job as an artist (not just a street artist) is to bring together people from different parts of society with some point of interest open to discussion. My mentality as a street or graffiti artist is to conquer areas that appear out of reach – this doesn’t confine itself to locations that are hard to paint in the street; it can morph into areas of culture through different methods and mediums; this chess board being a good example of that. 

Eleni Maragaki:

You have already worked on – created, even – several board games before. Can you tell us about your designs for Purling and how your previous designs influenced these?

My designs for Purling represent a culmination of my experiences in creating interactive artworks and board games. I am intrigued by the balance between aesthetics and functionality and consider it a creative challenge to combine both successfully. 

The creation of landscape puzzles in particular has provided a space for me to test out the dynamics between the human element, geometry, and nature, challenging the relationship between all three. In my past projects, my purpose was to allow the audience to experience the work not only through vision but also through the sense of touch and gameplay. I believe that interaction not only makes the work more accessible but also invites viewers to form a personal connection with the artwork. 

When Purling invited me to create a chessboard, it was a natural extension of this journey. Chess, as a game, embodies a perfect balance between strategy and aesthetics, and designing for Purling gave me the opportunity to further explore this balance. In this way, the chessboard becomes more than just a playing surface—it transforms into an interactive piece of art. I believe that through this interaction, the chessboard—and the game it hosts—becomes an evolving field of exploration, shaped by the players and their strategies.

Chess as a game has its roots from all over the world. As an artist having exhibited all over the world, do you consider your works as having a mainly Greek influence or, like chess, do you gather influence from all of your experiences and infuse this in your art?

While my work began deeply rooted in the landscapes and urban environments of Greece, it has evolved to incorporate influences from different places. Growing up in Athens, I was surrounded by a dense urban landscape characterized by a variety of architectural structures, that shaped my sense of identity. In contrast, the Mediterranean landscapes I encountered during summer holidays left me feeling both awed and separated from nature. This dichotomy between the urban and natural environments became a central theme in my work. Initially, I introduced the natural environment to my work as an attempt to make sense of my place in it. Over time, this exploration deepened, leading me to question the perceived contradictions between urban and natural spaces. My work became a medium through which I could ask questions about the relationship between these environments.

While Greece remains the origin of my influences, other experiences have affected my work. For instance, during a recent residency at Mahler and LeWitt studios in Spoleto, Italy, I was able to engage with the landscape in a more experiential way. Through a series of walks and the use of photography, I developed a more direct connection with the environment, which has been pivotal both personally and professionally. Additionally, my exploratory walks in parts of British nature, such as the Gower, have further enriched my practice. These experiences allow me to gain a more diverse understanding of the relationship between the natural and urban worlds.

Gosia Łapsa-Malawska:

What does chess – as both a game and form of strategy – represent to you?

The game of chess is the aesthetic form of thinking and doing. Story through choices and actions. Finding a pleasure in exploring beauty of logical calculations, especially when played on a unique chess board. Chess gives us opportunities to investigate the relationship between the rational, conscious mind and our intuitive, subconscious one. 

When was the last time you played chess? 

Yesterday, I spent time with my 4-year-old son. He is learning how to set up a chessboard, how all the pieces move, and the names of the pieces in both Polish and English. To him, the chess pieces are like real ancient Roman soldiers or Vikings (depending on the day), and the game itself is very dynamic, with no rules. I allow him to enjoy the game of chess in his own way, as it stimulates his imagination and hopefully builds a future love for the game. It has been a great experience for me. I remember how my grandad used to teach us, all of his grandchildren how to play chess. These memories have the taste of my grandma’s baking, the smell of coffee (obviously not allowed for children). 

As creative director of Purling, how did you come up with the idea to create these Editions? As a follow up question, what does it mean to you to represent the brand both in management (as creative director) and its products (artist)?

Editions already existed when I joined Purling three years ago. It was James McCarthy’s idea, along with the magnetic chess set. The first limited edition set had already been created—a peach and blue set by Zizi Danohoe—and shortly after, a new board by Leonardo Frigo was released, followed by designs from Sickboy, Eleni Maragaki as well as my Secret Garden. I introduced the Midnight Match—a black-on-black set that is not a reproduction of any existing artwork but a limited-edition design, as well as our London Map limited edition set.

In September, we are launching the Midnight Match Mini—a 31×31 cm version, also in black-on-black, with slightly grey subtle tones and rounded squares. It’s smaller than the original Midnight Match, making it suitable for office desks and bedside tables. I love the harmony of the set.

Purling’s limited edition chess boards are designed to be not only functional but also visually stunning. By collaborating with various artists, we can offer unique pieces that are as much about art as they are about gameplay, at more affordable prices than the original hand-painted artworks we offer.

Representing the brand as both Creative Director and an artist is an interesting combination. In my role as Creative Director, I have the privilege of shaping the brand’s vision, ensuring that every piece reflects our commitment to quality and creativity. On the artistic side, I view our products (chess sets, backgammon, and playing cards) as objects of beauty, as well as items for everyday use—bringing my own ideas and aesthetics to life within the brand’s framework. Balancing these roles allows me to stay connected to the creative process at every level, ensuring that Purling’s products are not just games, but works of art that resonate with our customers on multiple planes.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself as an artist? 

I’m a Polish painter based in London. I completed my MA in Lithography in Krakow, Poland, in 2007.
My practice is rooted in the ‘Young Poland Movement,’ deeply inspired by the simplicity and subtlety of Japanese aesthetics. In recent years, I have been exploring the human condition in both physical and mental spaces, focusing on themes such as loneliness, disappearance, nostalgia, personal stories, and the universal history of humanity. I love listening to people’s stories: overheard conversations often inspire me.

Through my art, I aim to share a sense of harmony, transience, and the pursuit of beauty in everything. My colour palette is generally muted, with Payne’s Grey being my predominant choice. If I could choose only three colours, they would be white, black, and Payne’s Grey. You don’t need many colours to describe the world. One of Purling’s signature colours is Payne’s Grey—a light and fresh shade that I introduced to the Purling Bold Chess series over two years ago.

Can you tell us about the bespoke service – can clients commission artists for chess sets? Are these artists specifically on your roster – or do you accept submissions?

At Purling, clients can commission artists to create custom chess sets. We collaborate with a select roster of talented artists who specialise in crafting unique, hand-made pieces. However, we are also open to submissions from artists outside our current roster. We are always on the lookout for new talent and unique perspectives that align with our brand’s ethos. If you have an idea or a specific artist in mind, we would love to discuss how we can bring your vision to life. It doesn’t need to be a piece by an established artist; we can also use a child’s drawing or an old family photo as a starting point for designing a uniquely personal chess set. The possibilities are limitless. You can book your consultation online to explore the options.

Are there any exciting collaborations upcoming that you would like to share with our readers?

We are happy to launch new Art chess set Waves of Symmetry’ by talented, young artist Eleni Maragaki. Her Chess board is a collection of hand-carved landscape fragments depicting isolated segments of a turbulent seascape. Soon, we will be introducing 2 new backgammons (limited edition) with artworks by Andrzej Maria Borkowski and Louisa Crispin. 

Presented by Purling, The Art of the Game will be taking place at 67 York Street Gallery, from 7^th – 12^th October. For further info, please visit Purling’s website.